It’s the all new Ford Kuga – and it’s a plug-in and a hybrid and more too

Ford reveals the new Ford Kuga SUV with the nose of a Ford Focus, more room less weight and a choice of hybrid powertrains.

Ford has taken thei well-established and best-selling SV – the Ford Kuga – and given it a new platform, a front end that wants to be a new Focus, lots of ’roundness’ and both a plug-in hybrid and regular hybrid powertrain options to go with the inevitable petrol and (still) diesel options.

The new platform – shared with the new Focus – means the Kuga has lost 90kg in weight, and its longer wheelbase means more room for passengers and stuff too.

It also means Ford can deliver a range of electrification options too, so there’s a proper plug-in hybrid with a 31 mile EV range thanks to a 2.5 litre petrol engine and electric motor combining to give 225bhp, and a regular hybrid (Ford has cottoned on to Toyota’s ‘Self-charging’ description) with the 2.5 litre Atkinson Cycle engine and an electric motor generator said to deliver 50mpg.

Ford has also added 48V mild-hybrid tech to the 150PS EcoBlue diesel to deliver 56mpg, and to the 190PS 2.0?litre EcoBlue for 50mpg. There will also be regular 1.5 litre Ecoboost petrols with 119bhp or 148bhp and EcoBlue diesels with 119bhp or 178bhp.

Inside is almost a carry over from the new Focus, complete with 12.3″ instrument screen (if you go posh) and 8″ infotainment, and you’ll be able to have your new Ford Kuga in Titanium, ST Line or Vignale trim. So, jobbing Kuga, Sporty Kuga or Posh Kuga.

But don’t get too excited just yet; the new Kuga won’t go on sale until the end of the year – and even then not with the option of all the powertrains – and you won’t be able to take delivery until 2020.